CO Reports: Loon rescued, stranded boater recovered – Brainerd Dispatch

CO (Conservation Officer) Jim Guida (Brainerd #2) handled sport fishing, waterfowl and wildlife complaints this week. A stranded boater was rescued on the Gull River when the watercraft he was operating became mechanically disabled. A loon entangled in braid and monofilament fishing line was rescued and released back into Mille Lacs Lake. A waterfowl hunter training his dog located the loon and assisted. Officer Guida contacted two different waterfowl hunters in watercraft who had completely forgotten to have personal flotation devices while waterfowl hunting on a public body of water.

CO Luke Belgard (Pine River) worked in fishing, waterfowl and ATV enforcement. The warm fall has kept anglers staying on the lakes, with some success. Success with waterfowl has been limited.

CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) Spend time checking on hunters throughout the week. Violations found included taking small game without a license and shooting ducks too early.

CO Matthew Brodin (Brainerd #1) gave a legal lecture at a firearms safety course in Pillager. CO Brodin also spends time on the Gull Lake chain, monitoring fishing and recreational traffic on the lake.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) attended training with Hibbing. Duck hunters were checked. The use of ATVs was normal on the trails and roads. Many found fishing to be more pleasant than hunting in the warm temperatures.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) spent time checking anglers, hunters and recreational vehicle operators. He responded to a TIP call from waterfowl hunters shooting at Three Island Lake after hours, resulting in a citation and the seizure of a shotgun and several waterfowl. He also conducted annual taxidermy inspections and additional patrols in the State Highway 89 area for a small game hunting competition. Enforcement action has been taken against non-registration on ATVs and youth without helmets on ATVs.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) The various hunting seasons that are currently open all week have been further edited. The blue bird morning resulted in anglers and paddlers being checked, with duck blind checks in between. Teals remain the most common poultry species, while geese remain elusive. Additional time was spent enforcing ATV violations and wetlands violation cases.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent time vetting small game and waterfowl hunters. Waterfowl hunting success has declined with above-normal temperatures. Enforcement action was taken this week for several ATV violations. Violations noted included failure to wear helmets by youth under 18, failure to show registration and driving an ATV under the influence of alcohol. CO Swedberg also participated in a “Peasants Forever” youth hunt, which gave new hunters the opportunity to learn about pheasant hunting.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) Certified small game and waterfowl hunters. More migratory birds were observed in the area than in the previous week. Fishing, boating and water safety measures were worked on at Clearwater Lake, with good compliance noted. Public lands were also patrolled, private properties were found, and the areas were examined for possible violations of the hate speech law. Additionally, 11 youth received a firearms safety course.

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the area looking for small game, waterfowl and ATV activity. CO Baum achieved varying degrees of success with small game and waterfowl hunters. CO Baum took enforcement action on ATV and waterfowl violations.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) I’ve been working on a busy Leech Lake for the past week. Waterfowl hunters report slow success due to mild weather, while anglers report limited success. Law enforcement actions have been initiated for numerous fishing and boating violations.

CO Jacques Johnson (Longville) controlled hunting and fishing activities. She investigated coastal violations and supported the district in various operations.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) Spent time searching State Forest lands and local WMAs for abandoned properties. Five deer stands were found abandoned. Time was also spent at conservation days at the Old Wadena campground. A fur collection was presented to fifth-graders from Staples, Sebeka and Verndale schools. This week’s enforcement actions include burning prohibited materials, operating an OHM on a public road, and operating a Class 1 ATV by youth without a safety certificate.

CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked on waterfowl, small game and big game. Work was also underway on boating, fishing and off-road vehicle enforcement. Taxidermy inspections were conducted throughout the area. Enforcement action has been taken for violations of hunting, fishing, all-terrain vehicle and taxidermy regulations.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) Primarily anglers checked as temperatures felt more like summer than hunting season. A few duck and grouse hunters were seen. A complaint regarding trespassing/tree cutting was investigated. Mathy also worked on an ongoing investigation and answered a call from a problem bear. Law enforcement action was taken for violations of fishing regulations.

CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) spent time watching waterfowl and small game hunters. There was success in catching ducks and squirrels. Time was also spent on ATV rides and fishing activities. Anglers at Mille Lacs Lake reported the bite was slower. Enforcement action has been taken for waterfowl, ATV riding, dirt bike and fishing violations. A stray complaint was investigated. A reminder that you are responsible for your trash. Unpack what you pack.

CO Joseph Scholz (Malmö) participated in fall training and patrolled for fishing, small game hunting, waterfowl hunting and ATV activities. When the weather was nice, many people seeking relaxation were out and about in off-road vehicles and on the lakes and a few fewer were hunting in the forest. Anglers at Mille Lacs Lake continued to have limited success as the walleye were tagged but refused to bite. Success has been seen among smallmouth bass and rock bass anglers. Enforcement action was taken against juveniles riding ATVs without helmets, failing to renew ATV registration, failing to transfer ATV registration, transporting loaded firearms in a motorboat, hunting for waterfowl in open water, and fishing without a license. CO Scholz would like to remind waterfowl hunters that when hunting from a motorboat, the engine must be turned off and forward motion stopped before loading and firing a firearm. This also applies to the disposal of crippled birds.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) checked waterfowl and small game hunters in the area. Enforcement action was taken for hunting without a small game license, fishing with additional lines and driving after revocation. Illegal hunting, harassment and trespassing were also investigated.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) attended training courses and worked on maintaining some equipment. Numerous calls were received regarding hunting season issues and law interpretation. Complaints about nuisance coyotes and the call of a dead swan were also addressed.

CO Stephen Westby (Little Falls) Support with part-time training in Hibbing in the fall. Several dogs that were hunting deer were treated during the week. Please be a responsible dog owner and keep your dogs on your property. Several waterfowl hunters reported a mixed harvest.

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Center) spent time during the week monitoring fishing activity at the station. The warm temperatures attracted many boaters and anglers over the weekend. Duck hunters were also checked, but the warm weather appeared to have slowed the movement of the birds and there was little success. Calls regarding deer numbers and a dead deer in the national forest were received and investigated.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) I’ve been working on waterfowl hunting this week. The officer also focused on the fall fish bite. Training sessions were also attended.

CO Adam Stennett (Annandale) has had mixed success with waterfowl hunters. Several complaints about illegal aquatic plant management by lakeshore owners were investigated. A report of trespassing was also filed. Enforcement for the week included hunting without having a license.

CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) spent the week working as a hunter and fisherman. Sunny weather and warm temperatures resulted in poor success rates for waterfowl. Bertram also helped with a children’s fishing event in Swanville.

NOTE: This article does not include reports from every district that issued a report. This is a compilation of selected reports from 5 districts in our region.